Arrangement for mounting onto a rod

ABSTRACT

An arrangement is provided to allow the arrangement to be hung from a rod without using any extraneous hardware and without taking down the rod. The arrangement comprises two openings, two cuts each through one of the two openings, and a path having two edges connecting edges of the two cuts. At least a portion of the path is reinforced, the two openings are shifted off center, and/or the path has a rising portion and/or a falling portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to a foreign patent applicationfiled in the Chinese Patent Office, having the application number200820164745.1 and filed on Sep. 17, 2008.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to an arrangement for mounting onto arod, and more specifically relates to an arrangement for mounting asuspended material onto a rod without using any extraneous hardware andwithout taking down the rod.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Traditionally, a suspended material including a curtain is hung from arod with extraneous hooks or clips. Without using extraneous hardware, acurtain is also sometimes hung from a rod by feeding the rod throughholes of the curtain. However, the rod must be taken down, which isinconvenient. In a prior Chinese patent application, this Applicantdisclosed a curtain having ring-shaped hanging loops that are no higherthan the top of the curtain. Each hanging loop has a slit that opensthrough the top of the curtain. The curtain can be hung easily from arod by pulling open the slit of each hanging loop for attaching eachhanging loop onto the rod.

However, the weight of the curtain itself and/or external force oftencause the slits to separate. Additionally, the openings at the top ofthe curtain also degrade the integrity of the curtain. Consequently,beauty of the curtain is diminished because the curtain may appear notstraight or not of the intended shape, and the curtain often cannot behung securely from the rod.

Thus it is an ongoing challenge to provide an arrangement for mountingonto a rod.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an arrangement for mounting onto a rodthat solves the above and other problems, thereby advancing the state ofthe useful arts, by redistributing the weight of the curtain and/orexternal force around an interior of the curtain. The arrangementcomprises two openings, two cuts each through one of the two openings,and a path having two edges connecting edges of the two cuts. At least aportion of the path is reinforced, the two openings are shifted offcenter, and/or the path has a rising portion and/or a falling portion.Advantageously, the curtain can maintain its intended shape and be hungsecurely from the rod, while also allowing the arrangement to be hungfrom the rod without using any extraneous hardware and without takingdown the rod.

In one embodiment, an arrangement is provided for mounting onto a rod.The arrangement comprises two openings, in that the rod is threadedthrough the two openings when the arrangement is hung from the rod. Thearrangement also comprises two cuts each through one of the twoopenings. The arrangement further comprises a path having two edgesconnecting edges of the two cuts, in that least a portion of the path isreinforced.

In another embodiment, an arrangement is provided for mounting onto arod. The arrangement comprises two openings, in that the rod is threadedthrough the two openings when the arrangement is hung from the rod. Thearrangement also comprises two cuts each through one of the two openingsto form two cut-through points. The two cut-through points form a lineat an angle to the rod when the arrangement is hung from the rod.Additionally, the arrangement comprises a path having two edgesconnecting edges of the two cuts.

In yet another embodiment, an arrangement is provided for mounting ontoa rod. The arrangement comprises two openings, in that the rod isthreaded through the two openings when the arrangement is hung from therod. The arrangement also comprises two cuts each through one of the twoopenings. The arrangement further comprises a path having two edgesconnecting edges of the two cuts; the path comprises a rising portionand a falling portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary arrangement for mounting onto a rodin an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the exemplary arrangement mounted onto a rod inan embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing additional details of an exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing additional details of another exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing additional details of an exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary arrangement for mounting onto a rodin an embodiment. A suspended material 1 is shown as comprising amounting arrangement 2. However, it is noted that an “arrangement” mayalso more broadly comprise both the suspended material 1 and themounting arrangement 2 because they can be combined for mounting bothonto a rod. The suspended material 1 may be made of any of a number ofmaterials and may be one of a curtain (e.g., a shower curtain) and adrape. The mounting arrangement 2 comprises two openings 23, two cuts 24each through one of the two openings 23, and a path 25 having two edges.FIG. 2 is a diagram of the exemplary arrangement mounted onto a rod 3 inan embodiment, in that the rod 3 is threaded through the two openingswhen the mounting arrangement 2 is hung from the rod.

Each of the two openings 23 may be reinforced with a hanging ring 2 a.The hanging ring 2 a may be any of a number of shapes including aflower, a flower with petals, a sun, a wheel, a polygon, a hexagon, andan octagon. Indeed, a polygon-like shape having any number of sides/arcsincluding five, seven, nine, or ten may also be used. For example, FIG.1 shows the hanging ring 2 a in a flower shape with six petals. FIG. 6,which is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment, shows a hanging ring 2 b in the shape of anoctagon. FIG. 7, which is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement formounting onto a rod in an embodiment, shows a hanging ring 2 c in aflower shape with five petals. However, six, seven, eight, or morepetals may also be used. The use of petals not only increases theaesthetic appeal, but also strengthens the hanging ring by making itsedge wider. The surrounding suspended material 1 is also straightened asa result.

The two cuts 24 each through one of the two openings 23 form twocut-through points. As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the two cut-throughpoints form a line at an angle (i.e., off center) to the rod 3 when themounting arrangement 2 is hung from the rod 3. Additionally, onecut-through point is above a center line of the rod 3, and the othercut-through point is below the center line of the rod when the mountingarrangement 2 is hung from the rod 3. Consequently, the weight of thesuspended material 1 and/or external force is redistributing because thepath is no longer parallel to the rod 3. The two cuts 24 each throughone of the two openings 23 may be substantially perpendicular to therespective openings 23 or at an angle. The two cuts 24 may also bestraight and/or curved as will be discussed in greater detail in FIG. 9.

The path 25 has two edges that connect to edges of the two cuts 24.Between the two edges, a slit 26 is formed such that the interiors ofthe two openings 23 open to each other. More specifically, a user isable to open the slit 26 and allow the rod 3 to enter both of theopenings 23 at the same time. FIG. 3 is a diagram of another exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment, in that the path25 and the slit 26 of the suspended material 1 is shown as a long cut 11on the suspended material 1. In FIG. 3, the long cut 11 is notreinforced. However, FIG. 1 shows that at least a portion of the path 25is reinforced. Reinforcement prevents drooping of the suspended material1, while providing a closing mechanism to close the slit 26 after theuser mounts the mounting arrangement 2 onto the rod 3. The reinforcementalong the path 25 may be any of a number of shapes including a branch, astring of moons (e.g., that connect the hanging rings that each resemblea sun), a string of stars, and a locomotive rod (e.g., that connect thehanging rings that each resemble a locomotive wheel). The branch mayinclude additional small branches 27 and leaves 28 to provide additionalstrength and additional aesthetical appeal (especially when matched withhanging rings that resemble flowers or flowers with petals).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing additional details of an exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment. Indeed, thereinforcement discussed above may be an interconnected elementcomprising at least one of the two openings 23 (i.e., the interconnectedelement comprise one of the two hanging rings 2 a that has the opening23) and at least one edge of the path 25. FIG. 4 more specifically showsthe reinforcement as comprising both edges along the path 25 and both ofthe hanging rings 2 a as an integrated whole. For brevity, descriptionsof the elements of the mounting arrangement 2 are not repeated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing additional details of another exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment. The mountingarrangement may be formed by a front piece 21 and a back piece 22 forattaching to the suspended material between the two pieces. The frontpiece 21 comprises a plurality of cylindrical-shaped connectors 212 forconnecting to their corresponding connecting holes 222 of the back piece22. Additionally, the front piece 21 comprises front cuts 211 while theback piece 22 comprises back cuts 221. Furthermore, the front piece 21comprises a front path 251 connecting edges of the two front cuts 211,and the back piece 22 comprises a back path 252 connecting edges of thetwo back cuts 221.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another exemplary arrangement for mounting onto arod in an embodiment. While the path 25 shown in FIG. 1 comprises afalling portion, a rising portion, and another falling portion (whenviewed from left to right) to form a horizontal S-shaped pattern, thepath 25 may comprise a single rising/falling portion, a rising portionand a falling portion, or any number of rising and falling portions(e.g., in a wavy pattern). For example, FIG. 8 shows the path 25 hashaving a falling portion, a rising portion, a falling portion, and afalling portion (when viewed from left to right for a total of tworising portions and two falling portions). Additionally, a shapeconnecting rising and falling portion may comprise one of a curve and asharp angle. The rising and/or falling portion(s) allows the weight ofthe suspended material to be redistributed, is aesthetically pleasing,and also fixes the distance between the openings.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing additional details of an exemplaryarrangement for mounting onto a rod in an embodiment. A hanging ring maycomprise a front and a back piece, and a cut may comprise a straightportion and/or a curved portion. The cut may be through a petal (asshown) and/or between petals. Similarly, for a polygon, the cut may bethrough a side/arc and/or between sides/arcs. As shown, a front cutportion 213 matches a back cut portion 223. Notably, the back cutportion 223 is shown as surrounded by three connecting points toincrease strength. Many details of a similar design is disclosed inChinese patent application number 200720106719.9, which incorporated byreference.

The illustration and description above should be considered as exemplaryand not restrictive in character. Several embodiments have been shownand described, and those skilled in the art will recognize variations,alternative constructions, and equivalents of the above-describedembodiments that fall within the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,the above description does not limit the scope of the invention, whichis defined by the following claims.

1. An arrangement for mounting onto a rod, the arrangement comprising:two openings, wherein the rod is threaded through the two openings whenthe arrangement is hung from the rod; two cuts each through one of thetwo openings; and a path having two edges connecting edges of the twocuts, wherein at least a portion of the path is reinforced.
 2. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the arrangement is a portion of one of acurtain and a drape.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprisingan interconnected reinforcement element, the interconnectedreinforcement element comprising: at least one of the two openings, andat least one edge for reinforcing the path.
 4. The arrangement of claim1, further comprising a front piece and a back piece for attaching to asuspended material between the two pieces.
 5. The arrangement of claim1, wherein the arrangement comprises two shapes, wherein: a first shapecomprises one of the two openings, wherein the first shape comprises oneof a flower, a sun, a wheel, a polygon, a hexagon, and an octagon; and asecond shape comprises at least a portion of the path, wherein thesecond shape comprises one of a branch, a string of moons, a string ofstars, and a locomotive rod.
 6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein: afirst shape comprises one of the two openings, the first shapecomprising a flower with petals; and a second shape comprises at least aportion of the path, the second shape comprising a branch with leaves.7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the two cuts through the twoopenings form two cut-through points, wherein the two cut-through pointsform a line at an angle to the rod when the arrangement is hung from therod.
 8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein one cut-through point isabove a center line of the rod and the other cut-through point is belowthe center line of the rod when the arrangement is hung from the rod. 9.The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the cuts are substantiallyperpendicular to the respective openings.
 10. The arrangement of claim1, wherein the path comprises a rising portion and a falling portion.11. The arrangement of claim 10, wherein the path further comprisesanother portion, the another portion comprising one of another risingportion and another falling portion.
 12. The arrangement of claim 10,wherein the path further comprises a shape connecting rising and fallingportions, the shape comprising one of a curve and a sharp angle.
 13. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the path comprises two rising portionsand two falling portions.
 14. An arrangement for mounting onto a rod,the arrangement comprising: two openings, wherein the rod is threadedthrough the two openings when the arrangement is hung from the rod; twocuts each through one of the two openings to form two cut-throughpoints, wherein the two cut-through points form a line at an angle tothe rod when the arrangement is hung from the rod; a path having twoedges connecting edges of the two cuts.
 15. The arrangement of claim 14,wherein one cut-through point is above a center line of the rod and theother cut-through point is below the center line of the rod when thearrangement is hung from the rod.
 16. The arrangement of claim 14,wherein the arrangement comprises two shapes, wherein: the arrangementis a portion of one of a curtain and a drape; a first shape comprisesone of the two openings, wherein the first shape comprises one of aflower, a sun, a wheel, a polygon, a hexagon, and an octagon; and asecond shape comprises at least a portion of the path, wherein thesecond shape comprises one of a branch, a string of moons, a string ofstars, and a locomotive rod.
 17. An arrangement for mounting onto a rod,the arrangement comprising: two openings, wherein the rod is threadedthrough the two openings when the arrangement is hung from the rod; twocuts each through one of the two openings; and a path having two edgesconnecting edges of the two cuts, wherein the path comprises a risingportion and a falling portion.
 18. The arrangement of claim 17, whereinthe path further comprises another portion, the another portioncomprising one of another rising portion and another falling portion.19. The arrangement of claim 17, wherein the arrangement comprises twoshapes, wherein: the arrangement is a portion of one of a curtain and adrape; a first shape comprises one of the two openings, wherein thefirst shape comprises one of a flower, a sun, a wheel, a polygon, ahexagon, and an octagon; and a second shape comprises at least a portionof the path, wherein the second shape comprises one of a branch, astring of moons, a string of stars, and a locomotive rod.
 20. Thearrangement of claim 17, wherein: at least a portion of the path isreinforced to reduce drooping; and the two cuts through the two openingsform two cut-through points, wherein the two cut-through points form aline at an angle to the rod when the arrangement is hung from the rod.